Sawing apparatus on timber setting machines



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4 Sheets-Sheet 4 C, F. BALL ET AL SAWING APPARATUS ON TIMBER SETTING MACHINES b m wwww Aug, 16, 1955 Filed May 5, 1948 mmo Ro ge mi b my? United. States Patent SAWIN G APPARATUS 0N TIMBER SETTING MACHINES Charles F. Ball and James W. Woolf, Franklin, Pa., as-

signors to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 5, 1948, Serial No. 25,203

11 Claims. (Cl. 143-43) This invention relates to timber setting machines, and more particularly to the sawing apparatus of such machines, and to its association with other parts.

Timber setting machines are vehicles, commonly but not universally, supported on rubber tires, and commonly include means for transporting timbers, props, etc. which may be used for roof supporting purposes, means for raising timbers of appropriate length into engagement with the roof, and sawing means for cutting props to length, and for any other sawing purposes. These vehicles are illustrated in one form by the structure disclosed in the application of Charles F. Ball and Richard T. Hair, Ser. No. 746,646, filed May 8, 1947, now abandoned, to which reference may be had for other details which may be of interest.

For the safety of the operators of timber setters, it is desirable to have the saws with which the timber setters are provided, which saws commonly are high speed rotary saws, wholly withdrawn within a housing when not in use, and brought out of the housing into working relation to suitably supported timbering elements when these are to be sawed to length. It is desirable also to make sure, with devices of this, character, that the saws shall be driven only when they are deliberately to be placed in operation.

It is an object of this present invention to provide an improved saw driving and controlling means. It is another object of the invention to provide an improved saw driving and control means which will be proof, so far as possible, against injury to any workman. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved saw driving apparatus for use on timber setters. It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved timber setter having an improved sawing means associated therewith. A further object is to provide an improved saw driving arrangement which shall be inoperative when in retracted position. Another object is to provide an improved hydraulically driven saw having improved operating and controlling means. Still another object is to provide an improved work performing device supported on a transport vehicle and having improved controlling means, associated with the control means for such vehicle whereby vehicle propulsion while such device is operating is impossible. Still a further object is to provide an improved arrangement including a transport vehicle having a power driven pump thereon, a fluid driven work performing device thereon and bodily movable relative thereto into a work performing position, and propulsion means, and control means for effecting pump drive during transport, automatically interrupting pump drive upon the connection of the pump to said fluid driven work performing means, and automatically reinstituting pump drive when said work performing means is moved to work performing position, and desirably having the propulsion means made dead during the operation of said work performing device. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved combination of sawing means and propulsion means in which the propulsion means can be killed by a preliminary control of the sawing means and the sawing means can be thereafter rendered operative without restoring the propulsion means to operability. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which one form which the invention may assume in practice has been shown,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a timber setter in which the invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view, viewed as from the right hand end of Fig. 1, of the timber setter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view with parts broken away to show the saw and its setting.

Fig. 4 is a still further enlarged vertical section on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 4, and is on a scale slightly smaller than that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic system of a timber setter, to the degree necessary to illustrate the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical system of a self'propelled timber setter incorporating the present invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the timber setter car 1 is provided with rubber tired wheels 2, certain of which are driven by electric motors 3 (identified in Fig. 7 as 3A and 313) through appropriate driving connections diagrammatically illustrated at 4. The timber setter car has a storage compartment 5 for mine timbering elements, and has a boom mechanism generally designated 6 and carrying a suitable support 7 for raising the timbers into desired relation to the mine roof. At one end thereof the car has longitudinal sup ports 8, 8, 8 for supporting timbering elements while they are being cut to the desired length by a power saw mechanism 9. Power may be delivered to the timber setter car by an electrical cable 10 wound on a reel 11, and having hydraulic fluid operated driving means generally designated 12 and diagrammatically shown.

The power saw 9 comprises a circular saw blade secured to a horizontal transverse shaft 21 suitably journaled in bearings supported within a bearing box 22 on a movable support 23. Secured to the movable support 23 is a hydraulic motor 24 having its power shaft 25 connected to the shaft 21. The support 23 is guided for horizontal rectilinear movement along a horizontal guide 26 suitably secured within the machine body, and hearing rollers 27 are carried by the support 23, and are adapted to run along the upper surfaces 28 of the guideway 26. An operating rod 0 extends horizontally from an upstanding lug 29 to a handle 30 which is arranged outside of the machine body. A spring; 31 connected between the rear end of the rod 0 and an upstanding bracket 32 secured to the inner end of the guideway 26 constantly exerts traction on the sliding support 23 and tends to move it towards its innermost position, in which position the saw blade is retracted entirely within the body 1. The body is vertically slotted at 33, so that when the carriage 23 is moved by a pull on the handle 30 in an outward direction against the pull of the spring, the saw blade is caused to move outwardly through the body slot into a position to elfect its sawing function upon a timbering element, such as, but without limitation thereto, a prop, supported on the three laterally spaced support members 8, 8, 8 previously mentioned, which members provide horizontal support for a timbering element placed crosswise of the body in such a position that the saw may be operated to out such element to the desired length.

A hydraulic system adapted to the control of the apparatus so far described and also other structure of the timber setter is partially shown in Fig. 6. Here it will be observed that a motor 37 drives a pumping means 38 having its intake connected by a conduit 39 to a liquid tank 40 suitably carried by the timber setter body. The pump discharge is connected by a conduit 41 with the pressure passage of a valve box 42 of a valve mechanism generally designated 43. This valve box is connected by a return conduit 44 to the tank 40 and contains, as illustrated, four conventional, balanced spool-type, slide valves 45, 46, 47, 48 and a relief valve device 49, and

the slide valves have operating handles designated by the same numbers, primed, that indicate the several valves. With three of these valves we are not specifically concerned in this application and so need consider only the valve 47 which is positionable to control the flow of liquid through a conduit 50 to the saw driving motor 24. It may be mentioned, however, that the valve 45 controls the fluid flow relative to the timber raising cylinders R, while valve 48 is a master valve exercising a safety control over the raising apparatus as explained in the Ball et al. application above mentioned. A discharge conduit 51 leads from the saw driving motor 24 to a conduit 52 which in turn empties into the tank 40. When the valve 47 is positioned to effect liquid flow to the saw motor 24, a rod 53 connected to the valve operating handle 47' engages an actuator 54 for an electric switch 55, later oe scribed, to effect the breaking of the electrical connections to the electric driving motors 3A and 3B for the traction wheels, and to the pump driving motor 37. The sliding support 23 for the saw engages the actuator 56 for an electric switch 57 (Fig. 5) so that when the saw is retracted the switch 57 is in a position to efiect opening of the circuit to the pump driving motor. When the saw is slid outwardly so that it may cut a timbering element, the switch 57 automatically closes, thereby starting the pump driving motor 37 to supply liquid under pressure to the saw driving motor 24. This switch, when closing the circuit for establishing the drive of the pump motor, may break the electric circuit for the propelling motors 3A and 3B, so that wheel propulsion is impossible when the motor 37 is supplied with current to effect saw drive. It may be understood that the pump 38 may constitute also the source of hydraulic pressure fluid for the reel driving and controlling apparatus 12, as illustrated and described in the Ball and Hair application above mentioned and in their application Serial No. 731,126, filed Feb. 26, 1947, issued Oct. 6, 1953, Patent No. 2,654,547.

By way of introduction to the description of the elec trical circuits, which will shortly be explained with the aid of Fig. 7, it may be pointed out that the propulsion motors may each be driven forwardly and rearwardly, and that, regardless of the direction of operation, they will be connected in series during starting and in parallel during full speed propulsion. They are controllable by separate foot switches, one for each direction of opera tion. They have pilot circuits controlled by the foot switches. The pump driving motor has a control switch which is brought to closed position as soon as a start" switch is closed. The pump switch pilot circuit has two controls for it, one, the switch previously described, openable when a valve is moved to deliver pumped fluid to the saw driving motor, and the other, 57, closable when the saw is drawn outwardly into working relation with the timbering element. The latter switch, when moved to efiect pump motor drive, constitutes as illustrated a means for preventing the supply of current to I numerals designating power conductors in the cable leading from the reel 11. The conductor 60 leads to one contact 63 of a main line switch 64. The opposite contact 65 is connected by a conductor 66 to an overload relay mechanism, including an instantaneous overload coil 67 and heater elements 68A and 68B. The coil 67 and the heater elements herein are shown as arranged to operate separate switch elements 67 and 68. All may, however, operate a single overload pilot switch. From the heater element 68A a conductor 69 leads to a conductor 70 which is connectible by a switch P2, later more fully described, to a conductor 71 leading to the reverse mechanism 72 of the motor 3A. Conductor 69 extends beyond the conductor 70, as at 73, and has a branch 74 which is connectible by a switch element 75 to a conductor 76 leading to the armature 77 of the: pump driving motor 37. At the other side of the arma-- ture 77 there is a compensating winding 78; and a conductor 79 leads to the series field 80, and a conductor 81 connects the series field with a conductor 82, which leads to a contact element 83 forming another portion of the main line switch 64; and associated with the conductor 83 and adapted to be connected with it by the main line switch in the closed position of the latter, there is a contact 85 to which the main line conductor 61 leads. The shunt field 86 of the pump driving motor 37 is connected with the conductor 73 by a conductor 87, and with the conductor 82 by a conductor 88. Upon the closing of the main line switch, a contact element 90 of this switch will connect the contacts 63 and 65, and a contact element 91 of the main line switch will connect the contacts 83 and 85; and the pump motor 37 will be caused to operate, if the main line switch is closed, provided the switch element 75 is in closed position. The means for effecting closure of this switch element 75 will shortly be described.

From the heater element 68B a conductor 94 leads to the reversing mechanism 95 of the motor 3B.

The controls for the motors 3A and 313 will shortly be described. It has been noted that these propulsion motors are adapted first to be connected in series and then connected in parallel between the lines 66 and 82. A switch S is provided for effecting the connection of the motors 3B and 3A in series, and switches P1 and P2, the latter previously mentioned, are provided for connecting the motors 3B and 3A in parallel between the lines 66 and 82. The motor 38 has an armature 100, a compensating winding 101, and a series field 102. The motor SA has an armature 103, a compensating winding 5 i 104, and a series field 105.

The reversing control for the motor 3B may now be described. The conductor 94 has branches 106 and 107. The branch 106 leads to a contact element 108 connectible by a switch element 109 with a contact element 110,

which a conductor 111 connects to a conductor 112 7 ment 124 connectible by a switch element 125 with a contact element 126, which is in turn connected by a conductor 127 to the conductor 117 leading to the series field 102 of the motor 33. The compensating winding 101 is connected, at its end away from the armature 100, with the conductors 111 and 112, at their junction.

The switch elements 109 and 125 are connected together and are adapted to be moved to closed position by a plunger 130 having an operating solenoid 131. The switch elements 114 and 119 are connected together, and are adapted to be moved to closed position by a plunger 133 having an operating solenoid 134. As the arrangements so far described are identical with respect to the motor 3A also, the reference numbers 106 through 134 will be employed with primes to indicate corresponding contacts, solenoids, windings, etc. of the motor 3A, it being observed that the conductor 71 in the case of the motor 3A has the branches 106', 107' and that the conductor 117 leads to the series field 105. From the series field a conductor 136 leads to the conductor 82.

A conductor 137 leads from the series field 102 to a contact element 140 of the switch device S, and is adapted to be connected by the switch element 141 of said switch S to a contact 142 which is connected by a conductor 143 to the conductor 71. From the conductor 137 there branches a conductor 145 leading to a contact element 146 of the switch mechanism P1, of which a switch element 147 serves to connect the contact element 146 with another contact element 148. This last contact element, 148, is connected by a conductor 149 with a conductor 82. The switch mechanism S has an operating solenoid 15,0 controlling the position of a plunger 151 which moves the switch element 141. The switch mechanism P1 has a solenoid 152 which controls the position of a plunger 153 which determines the position of the switch element 147. It also controls the position of another switch element 154 which cooperates with contacts 155 and 156 whose connections will later be described.

The switch mechanism P2 has a switch element 157 adapted to connect a contact 158, to which the conductor 70 leads, with a contact 159, from which the conductor 71 leads. Switch mechanism P2 has an operating solenoid 160 controlling the position of a plunger 161, which determines the position of the switch element 157.

The plungers 130 and 133, controlling the reverse switches for the motor 3B, are shown as having associated with them time delay switch mechanisms 164 and 165. The mechanism 164 includes a contact element 166 and two stationary contacts 167 and 168, and may assume any suitable form which is adapted to provide a suitable time delay in its closing action, and which is normally open as indicated in Fig. 7. The time delay switch mechanism includes a movable switch element 170 and two stationary switch contacts 171 and 172. The

The main line switch 64 has an interlock 175 mov- Iii:

able with its contacts 90 and 91. It has an operating solenoid 176, and a plunger 177 movable upward as viewed in Fig. 7 to effect closing movements of the switch elements 90, 91 and 175. From the conductor 61 there extends a fused (at 180) conductor 181 which branches and has its branch 182 lead to the solenoid 176 for closing the main line switch. Beyond the solenoid 176 a conductor 183 leads to the overload switches 67 and 68 (which are illustrated as being different switches but which may obviously be combined in one switch element, and as shown these overload switches are connected in series by a conductor 194. Conductor 185 constitutes an extension of conductor 183 beyond the overload responsive switch devices 67 and 68". A fused conductor 187 leads from the power line 60 to a normally closed stop switch 188, at the other side of which there is a conductor 189 which branches, and has its branch 190 lead to a contact 191, which the interlock switch element 175 associated with the main line switch is adapted to connect with another stationary contact 192. The contact 192 is connected by a conductor 193 to branches 194 and 195. The conductor 189 has its other branch 196 connectible by a normally open start switch 197 with the conductor 198, to which the branch 194, above mentioned, leads. The conductor 198 has a portion 198' beyond its junction with the conductor 194 which is joined by the conductor 185. Beyond the point of junction of these conductors a conductor 199 leads to the valve switch 55 at the other side of which a conductor 200 leads to a manually controlled pump switch 201, which switch is either open or closed depending upon the position to which it is turned. Beyond the pump switch 201 is a conductor 202 which leads to the operating coil 203 of the switch 75 and which controls the position of that switch by its action on the plunger 204. The other side of the operating coil 203 is connected to a conductor 206 which leads back to the conductor 181.

Without going further, it may be noted that, with the pump switch 201 closed and the valve switch 55 closed (this is the normal position of this switch except when it is opened by the rod 53), when the start switch 197 is closed (or a circuit in parallel with this start switch is closed), the pump driving motor will be caused to operate. This is of utility because the pump supplies fluid for driving the reel driving motor 12M (Fig. 6) and normally maintains a tension on the power cable 10 at all times when power is on. See the Ball and Hair application last above mentioned.

It may be noted now also that when the start switch 197 is closed, a circuit is established including the conductor 197, the switch 188, conductors 189 and 196, start switch 197, conductor 198, conductor 198, conductor 185, switch 68', conductor 184, switch 67, con ductor 183, the operating solenoid 176 for the main line switch, conductor 182, and the fused conductor 181 back to the power line 61. Accordingly, the main line switch will be closed; and a circuit shunting the starting switch 197 will be established through the conductor 190, contact 191, switch element 175, contact 192, and conductors 193 and 194.

As the valve switch 55 is opened under certain circumstances, heretofore explained, and as it is desired, under such circumstances, to drive the pump 38 in order to supply hydraulic fluid to the pump driving motor 24, provision must be made for the supply of current to the pump driving motor when the valve switch 55 is open. This is accomplished by reason of the fact that conductor 195, previously mentioned, leads to a contact element 210 with which another spaced contact. 211 is associated, and the contact 211 is connected by a conductor 212 to the conductor 200. The switch 57, previously mentioned, includes a contact element 213 which, when the saw is pulled out, connects the contacts 210 and 211. This switch element 213 also connects a conductor 214, which is connected with the conductor 212, through contact elements 215 and 216 with the conductor 217. The conductor 217 has branches 218 and 219, later referred to in more detail, and will be noted to lead to the contact 156 of the interlock portion of the switch mechanism P1. The other contact 1.55 of this switch is connected by a conductor 221 to the solenoid 150 of the switch mechanism S. The other side of this solenoid is connected by a conductor 222 to a conductor 223 which leads to the conductor 206.

The solenoid 134 at one end is connected by a conductor 224 to the conductor 222 and through the conductor 223 to the conductor 206. Also, one end of the solenoid 134 is connected by a conductor 225 with the conductor 223. The other end of the solenoid 134 is connected to a conductor 226, and the other end of the solenoid 134 is connected to a conductor 227, these conductors joining each other at 228 and being connected with a conductor 229 whose connections will later be further described.

One end of the solenoid 131 is connected by a con ductor 231 to the conductor 206. The corresponding end of the solenoid 131 is connected with a conductor 232 which joins the conductor 231 at 233. The other end of the solenoid 131 has connected to it a conductor 234, and the other end of the solenoid 131 has connected to it a 7 conductor 235 which joins the conductor 234 at 236, and to this junction point there leads a conductor 237, whose other-end connection, like that of the conductor 229, will later be described.

The conductor 229 has branches 229 and 229", the first leading to an elongated stationary contact 238 and the other to a contact 239. The conductor 219 leads to an elongated contact 240 adapted to be connected with the contact 238; and another contact 241 is opposite the contact 239. Contact 241 is connected by a conductor 242 to the contact 171. A suitably operated, herein foot operated, switch mechanism 244 includes spaced switch elements 245 and 246. On partial closing movement of the switch mechanism 244, the switch element 245 connects the contacts 238 and 240. On further'movement the switch element 246 connects the contact elements 239 and 241, while the contact elements 240 and 238 remain connected with each other.

The conductor 237 branches similarly to the conductor 229, having branches 237 and 237", the former going to an elongated contact 248 and the latter to a contact 249. Opposite the contact 248 is another elongated contact 250 to which the branch conductor 218 leads, and opposite the contact 249 is a contact 251 connected by a conductor 252 to the contact 167. A foot operated switch mechanism 254 includes a switch element 255 and a second switch element 256, these moving together, the contact element 255 first closing a circuit between the contacts 248 and 250, then the switch ele ment 256 later connecting the contacts 249 and 251, while the connection between the contacts 248 and 250 is still maintained. The Contact 168 previously mentioned is connected by a conductor 260 with a conductor 261 leading to one end of the solenoid 152 of the switch mechanism P1, while the other end of this solenoid is connected by a conductor 262 with the conductor 206. The junction of the conductor 261 with the conductor 260 is connected by a conductor 263 with one end of the solenoid 160 of the switch mechanism P2, and the other end of this solenoid is connected by a conductor 264 with t because it forms the subject matter of earlier applications. It will be understood from what has already been said, that as soon as the start switch 197 is closed, the main line switch will be closed and the pump driving motor 37 will be supplied with current provided the valve switch 55 and hand operated pump switch 201 are 7 1 both closed, this being due to the fact that a circuit will then be established through the solenoid 203, with the result that the switch element 75 will move up and close the circuit between the power conductor 73 and the power conductor 81 through the motor armature 77 and series 5:

field 80. The switch mechanisms 244 and 254 are for etfecting propulsion of the vehicle in opposite directions. It is unnecessary to describe the operations of both of them, and so the operation of the mechanism 244 will alone be described.

As has previously been explained, upon closing of the start switch 197, the main line switch will be closed and the auxiliary switch element 175 will be moved to closed position, permitting release of the pressure on the manual start switch 197. A circuit will then be established from the power conductor 60 through the conductor 187, switch 188, conductors 189 and 190, contact 191, switch element 175, contact 192, conductors 193, 194, 198' and 199, valve switch 55, conductors 200, 212, 214, contact 215, switch element 213, contact 216, conductors 217, 219, contact 240, switch element 245, contact 238 assuming the switch 244 to have been pressed to first positionconductors 229', 229 and 226, solenoid 134, and conductors 224, 222, 223, 206, and 181 back to the power line 61, there also being current supply through the conductor 227, the solenoid 134, and conductor 225, to conductors 223, 206, etc. This will result in the supply of current to the motors 3B and 3A in series, for the solenoid 150 will have been energized through the conductor 217, switch 156, 154, 155, conductor 221 connected to the solenoid 150, conductor 222, and conductors 223, 206, etc., so that the current will flow from the conductor 94 through the closed reverse switch mechanism of the motor 3B and through that motor, through the conductor 137, through the switch 140, 141, 142, the conductor 143, the conductor 71, the closed reverse switch mechanism of the motor 3A and through that motor, and through the conductor 136 back to the conductor 82 which is connected by the main line switch with the power line 61.

When the foot switch 244 is actuated further to the left, operating current will flow through a pilot circuit including conductor 219, switch 240, 245, 238, conductors 229' and 229", switch 239, 246, 241, conductor 242, then closed time delay switch 171, 165, 172 (this switch closed automatically a few seconds after the reverse switch with which it is associated closed; and it will be evident that, until it closed, even if the foot switch 244 were actuated all the way to the left, without pause, the motors could not be connected in parallel), conductor 265, conductor 263, solenoid 160, conductor 264, conductor 206, etc., thus closing switch P2; and switch P1 also will be closed as current will flow from conductor 265 through conductor 261 to the solenoid 152 and the conductor 262 to the conductor 206. Therefore, since on the closing of the switch P1, the solenoid 150 of the switch S will bedeenergized (so that motors 3A and 38 will no longer be connected in series), the motors will be connected in parallel directly between the power lines 66 and 82, through the closure of the switches P1 and P2.

The operation of the propulsion motors in the other direction need not be described, as it will be obvious from what has been said.

When the timber setter comes to the desied point of use, and it be desired to operate the saw, it will be understood that this can be done as follows: With the switch mechanisms 244 and 254 in the open position shown in Fig. 7, no current will be supplied to the motors 3B and 3A, and, with the hook-up of the switch mechanism 57, when the switch 57 is allowed to close by the pulling of the carriage 23 out of the way of its actuator, the circuit will be opened between the contacts 215 and 216, so that no current can be supplied-feven if the switch mechanisms 244 or 254 were inadvertently operated-40 etfect operation of the motors 3A and 3B. The main line switch will remain closed, and upon movement of the valve 47 to supply pump fluid to the saw operating motor 24, the switch 55 will be opened, thus interrupting current supply to the pump motor 37, but a circuit in parallel with the circuit controlled by the valve switch 55 will be established, when the saw is pulled into operating position and switch 57 connects contacts 210, 211 through the conductor 195, switch contact 210, switch element 213, switch contact 211, and conductor 212, and accordingly power will again be supplied to the pump driving motor to put it in operation.

It will thus be appreciated that the pump driving motor 37, if the pump switch 201 is in closed position, is supplied with current as soon as the hand operated start switch 197 is ,closed, that when the manually shiftable valve 47 is moved to supply fluid from the pump discharge to the saw rotating motor 24 the switch 55 is opened and the pump is caused to stop due to the opening of the switch 55, but the motor 37 receives operating current again when the saw carriage is pulled outward, permitting the closing of the switch 57 and the resupply of current to the pump driving motor 37. A very safe system is thus provided because fluid to the saw driving motor can be supplied only by a starting of the pump driving motor by a switch which can be brought to a closed position only when the saw is manually moved toward its working position, and it is impossible for the saw simply to be started by movement of the valve controlling lever 47 to move the valve 47 to a position to connect the saw driving motor 24- with the discharge line from the pump 33. Also the propulsion motors cannot be driven during sawing, because, as illustrated, the switch element 213 when closing a circuit between the contacts 210 and 211 necessarily opens the circuit between the contacts 215 and 216, which kills the pilot line 217.

A desirable mode of use of the apparatus described is as follows: The timber setter is moved to the point where a timber is to be set. The timber is raised agains the roof. The propulsion means is killed by moving the lever 47' to effect connection of the pump to the saw driving motor. This also results in stopping of the pump driving motor. While there is no danger of anyones accidentally starting the propulsion means of the timber setter, the lengths of the needed props may be ascertained. The props may then be cut to length by the saw, which may be started by drawing it out into sawing position. This starting of the saw is effected without making the propulsion means operable. When the setting of the timberhas been completed, the valve 47 will be returned to off position. With the valve 47 in off position, the pump driving motor will be started again. The boom may then be lowered. With the boom lowered, the timber setter will be ready to travel to some other point, and its propulsion can be effected by the closing of one or the other of the foot-operated switches.

As a result of this invention, an improved self-propelled vehicle is provided which carries an auxiliary work performing device, such as a saw, and has embodied therein improved control means for preventing propulsion of the vehicle during operation of the work performing device or for preventing operation of the work performing device during propulsion of the vehicle. It will be evident that by the provision of the electric propelling motors for the vehicle which, in this instance, resembles a shuttle car designed for use in hauling coal in underground mines, and by the provision of the control means embodying switch means for breaking the electric circuit for the propelling motors during operation of the saw, the possibility of injury to the operator is substantially reduced. It will also be evident that by the provision of the saw which is housed within the vehicle body during transport and which must be moved outwardly to eifect operation thereof, together with the improved control means for the electric propelling motors of the vehicle including the switch actuated by the saw device as the saw is moved into its operating position, safety is very much increased. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically describedone form which the invention may assume in practice, it

will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a saw, a support for said saw by which the same is supported for movement between working and non-working positions, means normally maintaining said saw in non-working position, means for moving said saw from non-working to working position, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve controlling delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, controlling means for said pump driving motor including a pair of switches connected in parallel and one closed and the other open when said motor is running and said saw is in non-working position, and controlling means for said switches including means actuated by movement of said valve to a position for effecting delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor for moving the first one of said switches. to open position, and means controlled by the means for moving the saw from non-working to Working position for moving the other of said switches to closed position when the saw is so moved.

2. In combination, a work performing device, a support for said device by which the same is supported for movement between working and non-working positions, means normally maintaining said device in non-working position, means for moving said device from non-working to Working position, a hydraulic driving motor movable with said device as it moves between said positions, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve controlling delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, controlling means for said pump driving motor including a pair of switches connected in parallel and one closed and the other open when said motor is running and said device is in non-working position, and controlling means for said switches including means for moving said closed one of said switches automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and means controlled by the position of said device for moving said other switch into circuit-closing position on movement of said device towards working position.

3. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling the delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a switch, circuits for effecting operation both of said propulsion motor and of said pump driving motor, said circuits both controlled by said switch and both interrupted on opening of the latter, means for moving said switch automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor and means for rees tablishing a circuit for effecting operation of said pump driving motor while said switch is open.

4. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling the delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a switch, circuit means controlled by said switch for effecting operation of both of said propulsion and pump driving motors, means for moving said switch automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and means for reinstituting a power circuit for said pump driving motor while said at least one propulsion motor remains in an open circuit.

5. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling the delivery of fluid by said pump to said saw driving motor, controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a plurality of switches one having a single circuit-establishing position and the other having two circuit-establishing positions, said switches when said one is in its circuitestablishing position and the other is in one of its circuitestablishing positions permitting actuation of said propulsion motor, and said one of said switches when in its single circuit-establishing position permitting actuation of said pump driving motor, and means for moving said one of said switches automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for effecting delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, the other of said switches in its other circuit-establishing position shunting said one of said switches to reestablish pump driving motor operation.

6. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling the delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a plurality of switches one having a single circuit-establishing position and the other having two circuit-establishing positions, said switches when said one is in its circuitestablishing position and the other is in one of its circuitestablishing positions permitting actuation of said propulsion motor, and said one of said switches when in its single circuit-establishing position permitting actuation of said pump driving motor, means for moving said one of said switches automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for effecting delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, the other of said switches in its other circuit-establishing position shunting said one of said switches to reestablish pump driving motor operation, and means for moving said other of said switches to its other circuit-establishing position operative on bodily movement of said saw relative to said vehicle into sawing position.

7. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle movable between working and shielded positions, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling delivery of fluid by said pump to said saw driving motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a pair of switches one of which when the other is in a predetermined one of two circuit-establishing positions, and when it, itself, is in closed position, permits the supply of current to effect operation of both of said propulsion and pump driving motors and the other of which is movable from said one of said predetermined circuitestablishing positions to the other thereof to establish a supply of current to said pump driving motor through said one of said switches be open, said one switch having means automatically moving the same to open position when said valve is moved to open position, and said second switch having means moving the same automatically to said other of said two circuit-establishing positions when said saw is moved to working position.

8. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle movable between working and shielded positions, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling delivery of fluid by said pump to said saw driving motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a pair of switches one of which when the other is in a predetermined one of two circuit-establishing positions, and when it, itself, is in closed position establishes connections for effecting the supply of current to effect operation of said pump driving motor and to permit energization of said propulsion motor and the other of which is movable from said first mentioned predetermined circuit-establishing position to a position to establish a supply of current to said pump driving motor, through said one of said switches be open, and to prevent supply of current to said propulsion motor, said one switch having means automatically moving the same to open position when said valve is moved to open position, and said second switch having means moving the same automatically to said other of said two circuit-establishing positions when said saw is moved to working position.

9. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, said pump and said driving motor therefor also on said vehicle, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump-driving motors including a control conductor having a connection with a source of electrical power, a switch, pump motor and propulsion motor control circuits connectible by said switch with said conductor, said propulsion motor control circuit having a normally closed switch therein, a second conductor, connected with and arranged in electrical parallel with said first conductor, and a third conductor connected with said pump motor and propulsion motor control circuits at a point between said first two switches, said second switch movable to break the propulsion control circuit and to connect said second and third conductors to establish a new connection between said first conductor and said pump motor circuit.

10. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, said pump and said driving motor therefor also on said vehicle, a valve for controlling delivery of fluid by said pump to said saw driving motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a first conductor, a switch, pump motor and propulsion motor control circuits connectible by said switch with said first conductor, said propulsion motor control circuit having a normally closed switch therein, a second conductor, arranged in parallel with said first conductor, and a third conductor connected with said pump motor and propulsion motor control circuits at a point between said first two switches, said second switch movable to break the propulsion motor control circuit and to connect said second and third conductors to establish a new connection between said first conductor and said pump motor circuit, said valve having an element movable therewith and coacting with said first switch to move it as aforesaid when said valve is opened.

11. In combination, a transport vehicle, at least one propulsion motor for said vehicle, a saw on said vehicle, a hydraulic driving motor for said saw, a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid for said motor, a driving motor for said pump, a valve for controlling the delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and controlling means for said propulsion and pump driving motors including a switch, circuit means controlled by said switch for effecting operation of both of said propulsion and pump driving motors, means for moving said switch automatically to open position upon movement of said valve to a position for delivery of fluid by said pump to said hydraulic motor, and means including a switch element forming when in one position a portion of said circuit means for reinstituting a power circuit for said pump driving motor while said at least one propulsion motor remains in an open circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

